This work investigates the efficacy of plasma-activated water (PAW) and plasma-activated acidified buffer (PAAB) on Enterobacter aerogenes in aqueous system and fruit systems. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in PAW have been suggested to provide antimicrobial and acidifying effects, causing the pH of treated water to drop. To isolate the effect of pH in microbial inactivation and to study the interactive effects of pH and reactive species on microbial inactivation, a citrate-phosphate buffer (pH 3.1) and PAAB (citrate-phosphate) were studied. A 1.92 ± 0.70 log CFU/mL reduction in E. aerogenes was observed in PAW, while no reduction was achieved in the buffer, suggesting that the inactivation was due to the reactive species in PAW and not the acidic pH. PAAB achieved a 5.11 ± 0.63 log CFU/mL reduction, suggesting an interactive effect of reactive species and low pH. Electrical conductivity and oxidation-reduction potential measurements suggest potential mechanisms for the greater antimicrobia...

This study investigates the efficacy of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) on microbial inactivation as influenced by surface roughness of two types of surfaces: sandpaper and fresh fruit peel. Different grits of closed-coat sandpaper were selected, with their roughness (Pq) values ranging from 6 to 16 μm. Apple, orange, and cantaloupe peels were selected for roughness values that were similar to the sandpapers. The sandpapers and the fruit peel surfaces were spot inoculated with Enterobacter aerogenes (109 CFU/63.64 cm2) and exposed to CAPP for 492 s. Similar microbial enumeration techniques were used for both systems to quantify the microbial inactivation. The smoothest sandpaper showed a 0.52-log higher inactivation of E. aerogenes (2.08 log CFU/63.64 cm2 sandpaper surface inactivation) than did the roughest sandpaper (1.56 log CFU/63.64 cm2 sandpaper surface inactivation), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The smoothest fresh fruit peel surface (apple) showed a...

Hydroponic sweet basil (O. basilicum L.) farming uses a recirculating nutrient solution that may spread waterborne microbial contamination including algae. Plasma, the fourth state of matter, generates antimicrobial reactive oxygen and nitrogen species when exposed to water. The objective of this work was to study the effect of plasma-treated water-based nutrient solution on plant growth and in reduction of algae. Basil plants were grown in isolated ebb and flow hydroponic systems (under monitored environmental conditions) using nutrient solution (NS) and plasma-activated nutrient solution (PANS) with two separate treatments: the same irrigation solutions were used in the growth cycle (Treatment 1: NST1 and PANST1 once at the beginning growth cycle) and new irrigation solutions at every week of the growth cycle (Treatment 2: NST2 and PANST2). The plant growth parameters (height, fresh and dry weight, number of branches and nodes, root length, leaf index), quality parameters (color, texture, aroma, and tissue nutrients concentration), and algae concentrations were measured. Compared to NST1, plants grown on PANST1 were significantly taller (up to 12%), had a higher fresh mass (up to 29%) and dry mass (up to 45%), and had a higher greenness value (up to 28%). Algae growth was significantly reduced in the PANST2 reservoir (up to 24%) compared to the NST2 reservoir. It was confirmed that Treatment 1 significantly improved the yield, morphology, and quality of sweet basil plants, while Treatment 2 was best suited to decreasing algae concentration in the hydroponic environment. This preliminary study indicated that PANS could improve the quality and growth of sweet basil in hydroponic farming while controlling the algae growth in the growing environment.

Postbiotics have emerged as a promising alternative to live probiotics, offering comparable health benefits while overcoming challenges related to safety, stability, and shelf life. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of postbiotic research, beginning with updated definitions and the rationale for transitioning from live microbial formulations to inanimate postbiotics. We examine the diverse mechanisms by which postbiotics modulate host physiology, including enhancement of epithelial barrier function, immunomodulation, systemic metabolic regulation, neuroactive effects, anti‐inflammatory activities, and anticancer properties. Detailed discussions highlight how bioactive components—such as bacteriocins, exopolysaccharides (EPS), short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA), and specific proteins (e.g., Amuc_1100 and P9 from Akkermansia muciniphila )—mediate these effects through complex cellular signaling pathways and host‐microbe interactions. Furthermore, we review the antimicrobial potential of postbiotic formulations, emphasizing their role in controlling pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms. Various methods for microbial inactivation are discussed, ranging from conventional thermal techniques (e.g., pasteurization and ohmic heating) to non‐thermal approaches (e.g., ultrasonication, ionizing radiation, and ultraviolet light), as well as innovative hybrid methods that combine chemical, physical, and enzymatic treatments. These strategies not only ensure the complete inactivation of live microorganisms but also preserve the integrity and bioactivity of postbiotic compounds. Comparative analyses of live probiotics versus postbiotics reveal that inactivated formulations can deliver similar or even enhanced health benefits, with superior safety profiles and improved quality control. The review concludes by addressing current challenges in standardizing postbiotic definitions and production processes and by outlining future research directions necessary to unlock their full potential in clinical, nutritional, and biotechnological applications.